Marie Adélaïde de France, Daughter of Louis XV 1756

Editor: This is Jacques Firmin Beauvarlet’s rendering of Marie Adélaïde de France. The etching really leans into allegory and classical tropes. I wonder, what’s the story behind presenting a royal figure in this way? Curator: It's fascinating how royal portraiture frequently adopts mythological or allegorical forms. The conventions of representation elevated the sitter, imbuing them with symbolic power. How do you think this image functions within the visual politics of the French court? Editor: Well, the peacock, for instance, suggests wealth and status, right? So, it’s reinforcing her position? Curator: Precisely. And consider the context. Images like these circulated widely, shaping public perception and reinforcing the monarchy's authority. It's all very carefully constructed, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Definitely, seeing how these images were tools of power shifts my perspective. Curator: Indeed, it gives us a richer understanding of the art and its role in society.